Security & Safety Recommendations

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The security and safety measures suggested here will help protect you from crime, terrorism, and actions by foreign intelligence and security organizations. Some suggestions are more applicable to one form of threat than others. The level of risk varies from country to country and time to time, so you may need to pick and choose or modify the suggested security measures to meet your needs. These suggestions apply to short-term government, business, and tourist travel abroad. If you are traveling to an area where there is a particular risk of terrorist activity or are being stationed abroad for a lengthy period, see the Antiterrorism and Force Protection module.

General

Obtain a pre-travel briefing from your security office, especially if you are traveling to a potentially dangerous or unfriendly area.

  Check the Department of State and other current travel advisories regarding risks and local regulations in the country or countries where you will be traveling. See Country-Specific Threat Updates.

Report any suspicious activity or security incident during foreign travel to your security office or to the relevant U.S. Government agency. See Reporting Security Incidents.

Pre-Travel Preparations

Check your wallet. It should have a card identifying your blood type, known allergies, required medications, insurance company, and name of person to contact in case of emergency. Remove any credit cards and other items not needed during your trip. Remove unessential papers, such as reserve, military, or humorous cards, for example, the one that says "Honorary Sheriff."

Make copies of your passport, air tickets, all credit cards you take with you, and any other documents to facilitate reporting loss and replacing them.

Some travelers prefer to conceal from casual observers that they are American and carry and American passport. They put a plain cover on their passport (covers available in stationery stores).

Carry-on luggage should contain a supply of any regularly taken prescription medicines (in original containers labeled with the pharmacy name and prescribing physician so they won't be mistaken for illegal drugs), an extra pair of eyeglasses, passport, and carefully chosen personal documents (copies only!).

If you are taking a laptop computer with you:

• Be sure the laptop battery is charged or that you have the power cord handy. You may be directed by airport security personnel to open and turn on your laptop to demonstrate that it is actually a functioning computer. If you can't turn your laptop on, you may not be permitted to take it on board the aircraft.
  
• If your laptop is new or relatively new, take with you some evidence of your ownership of the computer. This documentation should include the serial number. This is because U.S. Customs may try to impose an import tax if it thinks the computer was purchased abroad. Alternatively, you may register your laptop and any other valuables that might be mistaken as imports with U.S. Customs prior to leaving the country. You can do this at the Customs Entrance and Clearance Desk at the airport in advance of your flight.
  
• Be aware that some countries have import restrictions on laptops. Check before you leave to avoid delays and possible confiscation. Also some countries do not allow encryption of telecommunications traffic within their borders -- because they want to be able to monitor your messages. So plan any communications with your home office accordingly.
  
• Read all the information on Security of Laptops.

Use hard, lockable luggage. Be sure luggage tags contain your name, phone number, and full street address. It is best not to use a business card in a luggage tag, as it discloses your organizational affiliation. Use a closed name tag so that all personal information is concealed from casual observation. Do not display company logos on your luggage. If the luggage could open if dropped or mistreated by baggage handlers, run a strip of nylon filament tape around the suitcase to preclude its opening accidentally.

The locks on your luggage are not secure against the professional thief but can be a deterrent if the thief is in a hurry, as is often the case. For luggage and briefcases with two combination locks, set the combinations on each lock to different numbers. For luggage with a single combination lock, set the lock on each piece of luggage with a different combination.

To avoid inviting crime, plan to dress inconspicuously to blend into the international environment. Avoid the appearance of being wealthy. Consider taking and wearing no jewelry. If you choose to wear jewelry, turn rings around so the diamonds are not showing and avoid dangling earrings. Large, expensive-looking jewelry is an attractive target and dangling earrings are easily snatched. Many people in poorer countries have the misconception that all Americans are wealthy. The less you fit that stereotype the better.

Know what dress is culturally acceptable in the country you are visiting. Some European and Middle Eastern countries frown on wearing shorts, especially when visiting holy sites. Why risk inciting someone with a grudge against the United States to take it out on you? You may also wish to avoid wearing any religious jewelry or symbols.

Consider obtaining a modest amount of foreign currency before you leave home. Criminals often watch for and target international travelers purchasing large amounts of foreign currency at airport banks and currency exchange windows.

Prepare yourself for all eventualities. It seems impossible, but consider what would happen if you became a victim of a hijacking, kidnapping, or other hostage situation. Are your personal affairs in order? How would you behave? See Kidnapping Survival Guidelines, Hijacking Survival Guidelines, and What to Do If Arrested.

In Transit

Protect yourself against pickpockets, theft of laptop computer or camera equipment, and theft from train compartment. Watch for distractions that are intentionally staged to set up a pickpocket, luggage theft, or purse snatch (especially while passing through airport). See Theft While Traveling and Security of Laptops.

If carrying luggage, keep it within view or touch. When checking in at the airport, renting a car, or registering at the hotel, position your luggage against your leg and place a briefcase or a purse on the counter or desk in front of you.

At the airport, maintain a low profile. Do not delay in the main terminal area -- go through the security controls to the secure area as quickly as possible. If an incident occurs, take as much cover as possible behind a solid object such as a pillar or stairwell.

If you use your laptop while flying, be aware that other passengers may be looking at more than just the in-flight movie. A survey of 600 American travelers found that over one-third admitted looking at someone else's laptop while flying. Younger travelers were the worst offenders, with 49 percent of the men and 40 percent of the women under 40 admitting they look at what their seatmate is working on. Most are checking to see what their fellow passenger is doing, while others are more interested in who they are working for.1

On foreign airlines, avoid speaking English as much as possible. If your plane is hijacked, do not try to cover up the fact that you are an American citizen or in the military. Never volunteer this information, but, if a hijacker finds out that you have attempted to conceal your identity, the consequences could be worse than if you had cooperated from the beginning.

During a rescue operation after a hijacking, avoid sudden moves and stay under cover -- hide behind something or drop to floor. You do not want to be confused with the terrorists and harmed by the rescue team.

At the Hotel

  Foreign security services have well-established contacts with hotels that commonly host conferences and meetings with international participation. Some even have their own office within the largest hotels. If the local intelligence service considers you a significant intelligence target, you are likely to be assigned a room that is equipped to monitor your in-room conversations and phone calls. To avoid this, it may help to make your own room reservation in a smaller hotel less frequented by foreigners.

If possible, stay with your luggage until it is brought into the lobby or placed into the taxi or limo. Consider using the bellhop, as luggage in the "care, custody and control" of the hotel causes the hotel to be liable for your property.

As you check in, be aware of persons in the hotel lobby who may have unusual interest in your arrival.

In many countries, you will be asked to surrender your passport when registering at a hotel. This is a routine procedure, as hotels must submit a daily report to police on all registered guests. Although a routine police procedure, be aware that this information may also be reviewed by a local intelligence service looking for targets of opportunity. Don't forget to get your passport back at the earliest possible time.

Use all the locking devices on your room door. Check locks on any sliding glass doors, windows, or connecting room doors. Remember that the hotel's emergency keys can override deadbolt locks.

Don’t advertise to others when you are out of your room. For example, request housekeeping to make up your room while you are at breakfast, rather than leave a "Please Service This Room" sign on the door knob. When you are out, put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door to give the impression that the room is occupied. Consider leaving the light or TV on when you are out of the room.

Carry the room key with you at all times instead of leaving it at the front desk. Do not needlessly display guest room keys in public or carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other places where someone can easily steal them. Do not use your name when answering the phone.

Do not accept packages or open the door to workmen or any other unknown person without verification from the front desk. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if someone from their staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purposes.

Keep your luggage locked whenever you are out of the room. It will not stop or hardly even delay the professional thief or intelligence agent, but it will keep the curious maid honest.

At night, lock your passport and other valuables (including laptop computer and camera) in your luggage or room safe. This reduces the risk of their "mysterious" disappearance while you are asleep or in the shower.

Any papers, diskettes, or other materials that would be of value to a foreign intelligence service should be kept on your person at all times. They should not be left in a hotel room, in the hotel room safe, or in the hotel's safe deposit box.

Valuables such as money, jewelry, camera, credit cards, airplane tickets, or passport should be kept in the room safe or hotel safe deposit box when not needed. Note that the hotel is not responsible for items left in a room safe. It is responsible for items left in the hotel safe deposit box or main hotel safe where it is in the "care, custody, and control" of the hotel.

You can gain some additional security for papers and valuables left in a safe by putting them in one envelope inside another envelope. On the inner envelope, write your initials across all seams and then tape over all seams and edges.

Do not invite strangers to your room.

In some areas it is a good idea to carry a flashlight with you. Emergency power sources and emergency lighting often do not exist in hotels in the developing countries.

Protection Against Identity Theft

Take as few credit cards as possible, and keep them along with your passport and the bulk of your money in a money belt -- a small, zippered pouch that ties around your waist under your clothes.

Memorize your Personal Identification Number (PIN). It is surprising how many people write it on their bankcard, which is very dangerous. "Shoulder surfing" -- a thief watching over your shoulder as you type your PIN into a keypad -- is a common problem. When entering your PIN, carefully block other people's view of the keypad, covering it with your free hand.

Use credit cards sparingly, especially in the higher risk countries. Shop clerks and restaurant servers might try to steal your credit card information.

Make photocopies of your passport and credit cards, both front and back. They will be easier to replace in case of loss or theft. However, keep the photocopies separate from the originals, and guard them as carefully as the originals. If your credit cards are stolen, report the loss immediately to the appropriate global customer-assistance center. Call the appropriate 24-hour U.S. number collect. The numbers are Visa (410-581-9994), Mastercard (636-722-7111, and American Express (336-393-1111).

The public computers at Internet cafes are an easy way to keep in touch during your travel, but they are especially susceptible to identity thieves. Do no use these computers to pay bills or carry out other business that involves personal information.

Street Crime

Attempt to travel in pairs or with others when possible.

Know the local currency. Fumbling with a wad of unfamiliar bills highlights you to any potential thief. Keep small and large bills separate so you don’t pull out a wad of large bills when paying for a cup of coffee. Keep some small bills handy in a front pocket to hand over to a mugger. It is a good idea to keep your wallet in a money belt or in a front pocket to make it more difficult for a pickpocket. Inspect your credit card after using it to ensure it is yours. The credit card exchange scam is not new.

Never resist armed robbery; it could lead to violence. Always carry some cash to appease muggers who may resort to violence at finding no reward for their efforts. Turn over the small bills that you keep separate for this purpose. If the thief presses the attack, give up your wallet. If you do not have much money on you, offer something else. "I don’t have my wallet; here, take my jacket." Never pursue a thief. Call for help and contact the police.

When walking, do not take shortcuts through alleys or off the beaten path. Try not to walk alone. If alone, be back in the hotel by dark. Pre-plan your route. On the street, walk confidently. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk. In many countries on the African continent and in several Eastern European countries, there has been an unparalleled increase in violent street crime.

When driving, pre-plan your route. Get information on the area you are visiting. Check the area before you get out of your car. Avoid parking in unlighted lots that require you to walk any distance along dark streets.

If you are taking public transportation, have your destination address written out in the local language on a piece of paper, if possible. Choose a subway stop that affords easy, well-lit access to your destination. It is better to walk a few extra well-lit, well-traveled blocks than to cut across potentially hazardous areas. Check the area before you depart from public transportation.

Know how to work the local public telephones. Memorize or write down emergency phone numbers and carry change for phone calls.

To avoid marking yourself as a potential target, rent a conservative automobile. In Central America and Africa, one of the hottest crime waves is carjacking. The carjackers frequently target upscale sport utility vehicles and quite often are very violent. Avoid getting boxed in by other vehicles; leave an avenue of escape open should the need arise. If you have a good opportunity, don’t be afraid to floor it and get away quickly if your life seems threatened.

Protecting Sensitive Information

Keep all sensitive documents in your personal possession and physical control at all times.

Hotel rooms and restaurants are rarely suitable places for sensitive discussions. If possible, conduct sensitive discussions outdoors in a spot where you are not vulnerable to bugging and conversations cannot be overheard. See Bugging Hotel Rooms.

Recognize that your laptop computer is a major target for theft. If you must take it, always keep it as carry-on baggage – never check it with other luggage. Leaving it in your hotel room also presents a significant risk. Lock it in your suitcase so it is out of sight while you are out of the room or asleep at night. If possible, copy sensitive material to a diskette and delete it from the hard drive prior to travel. Carry the diskette on your person, separate from the computer.

If secure communications equipment is accessible, use it for any discussion of sensitive matters. Do not use computer or fax facilities at foreign hotels or businesses for sensitive matters.

Protect unwanted sensitive material until it can be disposed of securely – by burning or cross-cut shredding. Cut floppy disks into small pieces.

Beware of new acquaintances who probe for information about you or your work or who attempt to get you involved in what could become a compromising situation.

In Case of Civil Unrest

Common sense tells us to avoid street demonstrations. If you are overtaken by a demonstration, seek refuge in the nearest safe haven such as a large hotel or department store. Choose your safe haven carefully. If there is an anti-American demonstration, trying to make your way through the crowd to get inside the local office of a prominent American corporation is probably a bad idea. Do not try to make your way out of the area by subway. You may be stranded in a crowded underground station if local authorities stop service to that particular station because of the demonstration. Also, tear gas is heavier than air and fills up low lying areas like subway stations.

In the event of a major civil disorder, stay in your hotel. Do not watch activity from your window. An inside room provides greater protection from gunfire, rocks, grenades, etc. If others may have concerns about your safety, or if emergency evacuation may be required, advise the U.S. Embassy or Consulate or other friendly embassy of your status and location. Hire someone to take a note to them if phones are out of order.

Related Topics: Overseas Communications, Bugging Hotel Rooms, Security of Laptops, In the Line of Fire: American Travelers Abroad, Antiterrorism and Force Protection.

References
1.  Rob Lenihan, CNNfn, Laptop peeking takes off, April 12, 2000.

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